FEATURED ARTICLES ABOUT DUE DILIGENCE - PAGE 2

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Journalist Michael Moynihan did not have to read past the first chapter of writer Jonah Lehrer's best-selling book "Imagine: How Creativity Works" to realize the high-profile writer had fabricated some of its material, namely quotes from Bob Dylan. Yet even after Moynihan exposed Lehrer's misquotations, causing the 31-year-old Rhodes scholar, neuroscientist, columnist, and nonfiction writer to resign from a staff position at The New Yorker magazine and issue an apology this week, he is still mystified by Lehrer's reckless behavior.

BEST BUY OFFERS DUE DILIGENCE PLAN TO RICHARD SCHULZE; SCHULZE DECLINES BEST BUY CO INC SAYS BOARD AUTHORIZED ITS ADVISERS TO INITIATE DISCUSSIONS WITH MR. SCHULZE BEST BUY CO INC SAYS BOARD PROPOSAL WOULD HAVE PROVIDED A WAIVER OF MINNESOTA LAW IN ORDER TO PROVIDE MR. SCHULZE THE ABILITY TO WORK WITH HIS PRIVATE EQUITY PARTNERS BEST BUY CO INC SAYS BOARD PROPOSAL WOULD HAVE PROVIDED DUE DILIGENCE ACCESS FOR MR. SCHULZE TO THE COMPANY'S NON-PUBLIC...

Minneapolis-based U.S. Bancorp has conducted due diligence at FBOP Corp., the ailing Oak Park-based parent of $4.82 billion-asset Park National Bank of Chicago, a person familiar with the matter said. The development was first reported in Wednesday's Wall Street Journal. Last month, FBOP said it was in the "final stages" of a capital raise that would restore its banks to "well capitalized" status, but those plans apparently have unraveled. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp.

Bears GM Jerry Angelo Friday said that the team did its "due diligence" in doing a background check on Sam Hurd and that there were "no flags" about any wrongdoing. Angelo also said that Bears have put Hurd on waivers. "We have a very sound and tested methodology" for how players are screened, Angelo said at a press conference at Halas Hall Friday that was broadcast on WSCR-AM 670. "We are shocked and upset," Angelo said. Asked if Hurd's shocking arrest will impact his future, Angelo snapped at a reporter.

Getting braces or other orthodontic work can require frequent appointments and hefty payments, so choosing the right doctor is a must. "You are entering a relationship that could last years," says Dr. Alan Bagden, an orthodontist in Springfield, Va. Some tips: Ask for lots of recommendations. Don't just stop with your dentist: Check in with friends, neighbors, co-workers and nearby relatives. Visit the websites of potential practices. Request a no-obligation consultation. At these initial meetings — often free — discuss treatment goals, the doctor's experience in correcting specific problems, payment options and insurance policies.

Is Whirlpool serious, or just curious? After making a tentative proposal to acquire appliance-industry rival Maytag Corp., Whirlpool is now conducting an in-depth review of the target company's non-public information. This process is known as "due diligence"--a prerequisite to closing a deal. But for Maytag, as for any company that finds itself in play, the due-diligence process is fraught with potential concerns. The reason? Maytag and Whirlpool may, or may not, come to final terms.

They could see the meltdown coming. Freelance financial watchdogs who examined the paperwork on subprime home loans being sold to Wall Street had an inside view of the boom in easy-money lending this decade. The reviewers say they raised plenty of red flags about flaws so serious that mortgages should have been rejected -- such as borrowers' incomes that seemed inflated or documents that looked fake -- but the problems were glossed over, ignored or stricken from reports. The reviewers' role was just one of several safeguards, including home appraisals, lending standards and ratings on mortgage-backed bonds, built into the country's mortgage-financing system.

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission is investigating Ally Financial mortgage unit Residential Capital for possible misconduct in its origination and underwriting practices used to make and approve loans. The SEC disclosed in court documents that it issued a formal order of investigation on Feb. 22 to probe possible fraud in the offer and sale of mortgage-backed securities by ResCap. The SEC is seeking due diligence records from R.R. Donnelley & Sons for the inquiry.

Merger may be shaky: Cordis Corp. shares dropped as much as 13 percent after Johnson & Johnson extended the due diligence review period for its $1.8 billion acquisition of Miami-based Cordis to Jan. 22. During the due diligence period, which had been set to expire Wednesday, Johnson & Johnson has the right to back out of the deal. The two sides had announced a definitive agreement on Nov. 13. Johnson & Johnson, based in New Brunswick, N.J., declined to comment on the extension.

Feb 13 (Reuters) - Goldcorp Inc : * CEO says given shareholder feedback it is clear that its offer for Osisko continues to be well-received * CEO says confident that the legal claims that have been made against it by Osisko are without merit * CEO calls on Osisko to allow it to do its due diligence * CEO says bizarre that the only company that has not been granted due diligence access is the only one that wants to transact with...